The Impact of Visual-Motor Integration through Art-Based Activities on Fine Motor Skills in Preschools: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Visual-motor integration (VMI) is the ability to coordinate visual perceptual and motor skills. The Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI test) is a standardised copy forms-type test that is frequently used to assess visual-motor integration. This scoping review explores the impact of VMI through art-based activities on fine motor skills development in preschoolers with a focus on early childhood education settings. A total of 13 studies from various countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Canada, and Switzerland, were reviewed to identify the types of art-based activities implemented, their effects on VMI and fine motor skills development, and the research gaps in current practices. Findings indicate that activities such as drawing, folding, cutting, colouring, and origami significantly enhance visual-motor coordination and fine motor precision. Several international studies report measurable improvements in manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and symbolic representation as a result of structured art interventions. However, within the preschools context, art is often treated as a recreational component rather than an intentional developmental tool. The review highlights key gaps, including the lack of local empirical studies, limited teacher training in VMI-based pedagogy, and the absence of standardised assessment tools. This paper underscores the need for context-specific, evidence-based interventions that integrate structured visual art-based activities to support motor skill acquisition and holistic development in preschool education.